But it's our own fault though. Don't crap the bed against YSU, Uconn, ND and Cuse and we are 10-2 going to a better bowl.

My thoughts as well. At least Pitt is playing an SEC team this year and not SMU. I also read that the organizers are working with Pitt to make this experience a different and more enjoyable one than the past few years for the players. Plus, it certainly helps that they will have their actual head coach with them this time around. Above all else, getting 15 more practices in for this team is huge.

Troy Loney wrote:I have no recollection of this 2009 season, did they really go 10-3?

Yes. That was the year they lost to NC St by blowing a 14 pt lead late in the game, was 9-1 and ranked #8 in the BCS, lost to WVU on a 40 some yard field goal as tiem expired and blew a 21 pt lead against Cincy (12-0 #3) for a shot at Tebow and the Gators in the Sugar Bowl.

Beat a good UNC squad in the Tire Bowl and finished ranked 15.

During the Stache's last 3 years as head coach they finished 9-4, 10-3, 8-5.

Phil Bennett and Keith Patterson. I actually felt pretty happy for Bennett after beating Kentucky. His locker room speech after the game was pretty awesome. Plus, it was nice getting that win just days after the Haywood debacle.

Last year vs SMU, I have never seen a team so unfocused. Can't blame them though, after what they had to deal with.

I just wish that some of these seniors (Graham and Shannahan specifically) got to go somewhere else their senior year.

"We, the undersigned presidents of the Atlantic Coast Conference, wish to express our commitment to preserve and protect the future of our outstanding league. We want to be clear that the speculation about ACC schools in negotiations or considering alternatives to the ACC are totally false. The presidents of the ACC are united in our commitment to a strong and enduring conference. The ACC has long been a leader in intercollegiate athletics, both academically and athletically, and the constitution of our existing and future member schools will maintain the ACC's position as one of the nation's premier conferences."

Of course talk is cheap, and any of them would probably leave if felt it was good for their school

Would've loved to have seen Charlie Partridge come back as defensive coordinator, but he followed Bielema to Arkansas and took the DL coaching job. Rumor has it his salary as an assistant will be in the $375K range. Patridge would've been terrific because of his extensive recruiting ties to Florida.

Olsavsky may be interesting. Not as big on experience as some others (2 yrs as Def. Assistant with the Steelers, 7 yrs as LB coach at YSU), but he always struck me as a very cerebral player - one of those guys you could always tell was just destined to be a coach when he was done playing. Spending two years working with Dick LeBeau would help any coach, college or pro. I just wonder if the jump to DC would be too big at this point.

I'd love to see Gattuso get a look, but I don't think that's going to happen.

I've heard Todd Orlando (currently DC at Florida International) mentioned quite a bit as well. Cut his teeth as DC at UConn and oversaw some pretty damn good defenses during his time there.

Shaping up to be a pretty interesting few weeks for Pitt.

They got a pretty underrated commit a few days ago with OL Alex Officer from New York. 6'4", 310 lbs. Had offers from Louisville, Syracuse, WVU and Rutgers among others. Most scouting reports describe him as the type of lineman that Chryst preferred in his offenses at Wisconsin - mauler style of play with great feet.

The big, big news may start rolling in Friday when Central Valley WR Robert Foster announces his decision. Anything can happen, but people who follow these things much closer and are much more connected than I am have said he's been a solid commitment to Pitt for a long time now. Foster is sick. It's probably not a stretch to say he'd be the most gifted receiver Pitt would've seen since Fitz.

They've also made huge progress on Tyler Boyd from Clairton as well. Two months ago, Pitt was mostly off his radar. Since then, they've made up a ton of ground and seem to be running neck-and-neck with WVU for him. Boyd is the versatile type of athlete that can pose a threat from anywhere - RB, WR, slot receiver, DB.

Western PA obviously isn't what it used to be in terms of recruiting, but a key thing for Chryst is to keep as much high-level talent here as he can. The big three this year are Dorian Johnson, Foster and Boyd. Getting two of the three in Johnson (already committed) and Foster would've been a huge win for Chryst. If he manages to reel in all three, that's a huge recruiting victory for him, especially with some very good players coming down the local pipeline in the immediate future.

IanMoran wrote:I don't mind our coaches going for upgrades. I just like to think places like ASU / NCState aren't major upgrades from Pitt that you jump at chance to take... Perhaps I'm just too biased..

ASU, I can see that. A Head Coach jumps to a better conference.NC State... for a defensive coordinator? Not so much.

IanMoran wrote:I don't mind our coaches going for upgrades. I just like to think places like ASU / NCState aren't major upgrades from Pitt that you jump at chance to take... Perhaps I'm just too biased..

ASU, I can see that. A Head Coach jumps to a better conference.NC State... for a defensive coordinator? Not so much.

I don't remember the exact money, but he was paid a hefty amount to jump to NC State. For most coaches it seems like an upgrade in the wallet is more important that the quality of the program.

IanMoran wrote:I don't mind our coaches going for upgrades. I just like to think places like ASU / NCState aren't major upgrades from Pitt that you jump at chance to take... Perhaps I'm just too biased..

ASU, I can see that. A Head Coach jumps to a better conference.NC State... for a defensive coordinator? Not so much.

I don't remember the exact money, but he was paid a hefty amount to jump to NC State. For most coaches it seems like an upgrade in the wallet is more important that the quality of the program.

Well... To a certain extent I'm with you there, but if you have aspirations of ever becoming a Head Coach (and getting the real big $$$) - there are a lot of other factors to consider.

IanMoran wrote:I don't mind our coaches going for upgrades. I just like to think places like ASU / NCState aren't major upgrades from Pitt that you jump at chance to take... Perhaps I'm just too biased..

ASU, I can see that. A Head Coach jumps to a better conference.NC State... for a defensive coordinator? Not so much.

I don't remember the exact money, but he was paid a hefty amount to jump to NC State. For most coaches it seems like an upgrade in the wallet is more important that the quality of the program.

Well... To a certain extent I'm with you there, but if you have aspirations of ever becoming a Head Coach (and getting the real big $$$) - there are a lot of other factors to consider.

If he got paid more $ then I guess it makes sense. He's 55, has been coaching since 1985.. I think its pretty well established he won't ever be a HC